Barkers Butts 25 Old Halesonians 10.

Old Hales suffered a shock first round exit from the EDF Senior Vase on Saturday, losing 25-10 at Barkers Butts, shattering dreams of emulating their quarter-final achievement of last season.

The game started poorly for Hales when they found themselves 6-0 down after just eight minutes, when Butts’ centre, Pete Bond, slotted two home penalties.

The home-side’s first try came after 16 minutes.

A number of forward drives allowed the Butts forwards to make a half gap in the Hales defence This was duly exploited by captain Dean Thompson, who powered over to score from two-yards out with Bond adding the conversion.

Hales eventually found their momentum with some excellent interchanges saw Hales about to score when Butts killed the ball.

Hales opted to kick for goal, with Ben Smith missing narrowly.

As the half wore on the hosts began to dominate at the breakdown, yet Hales sneaked a try against the run of play just before the break through Luke Gaynham.

Gaynham, one of the few Hales players to be having a good day, gathered a pass on the half-way line and made good yards before being stopped on the opposition 22-metre line. After returning to his feet from the ensuing ruck he spotted a gap down the blind-side and instinctively set-off to score an unconverted try.

The score appeared to relax the Hales players, perhaps too much, as they conceded a second try on the stroke of half-time.

This time, some outstanding handling out of the tackle area by the Butts’ forwards created space out wide for Bond to score a converted try.

Despite an early second-half try from Butts, the second half saw Hales apply themselves more effectively and tie the half 5-5.

As the game opened up in the last quarter, Hales began to see more of the ball and made good yards through Alex Church and Seb Rose.

Chris Wagstaff’s move from back-row to scrum-half at half-time gave Hales hope when, picking the ball up from a scrum on the Butts’ 10-metre line.

He found a gap and proceeded towards the opposition line with supporting players either side, but stepped around the full back to score alone.

Indeed, it seemed like Hales could make a miraculous comeback when the visitors got increasingly more ball in space and continued to make ground with each phase. However, it was not to be and Barkers deserved their victory.

Hales entertain Ludlow at Wassell Grove on Saturday.

The Colts travelled away to Tamworth at the weekend and came away with their third win in a row courtesy of a 17-0 win.

Tries were scored by Andy Tromans and Stevei Deakin.